We rested for the evening. I noticed several ominous glances at the pot of stew. I’m pretty sure it’s not their friend Tassar in there, I recognize the aroma of an animal of some type, but I can’t quite place my finger on which one. Shadow reminded me it was time to eat in his usual way by sniffing my backpack. After feeding him and sleeping for a bit the adventures decided it was time to explore the lower levels of this cave. Right away I’m leery. Two ettins and a “mimic,” I think I heard someone say, obviously as guards. I’m expecting someone very powerful down here.

We followed a stairwell down a few feet then came to a room. It was either left or right. After some talk about which way Tassar would go we went left. Suddenly the procession stopped and we went back out to the first room. Voices were heard and after mentioning it I wild shaped into a bat again. I was able to explore most of the area without even being noticed. It seems most people in caves just ignores bats. Go figure. I reported back my findings, three medium-sized creatures in one room, I think there were eighteen slightly smaller creatures in the other, and off to the right, one empty room, a closed door and a very large creature. Bats see with their ears and that makes it difficult to tell exactly what they were so we decided to go to the right and sneak past the large creature. We failed miserably, but luckily enough Areon and Rosorc were able to surround it and kill it unusually quickly. We were then attacked by dire rats and goblins. I watched Areon climb over the fallen beast and attack the advancing horde. Rosorc went the other way realizing that more creatures wound be coming from that direction. Theona followed Areon while Deitricha followed Rosorc. After a moment of personal debate I decided I would fair better with Areon and Theona. The little beasts were slain before I got into the room. Now that makes two things that don’t seem right. The three of us followed a side passage over to the room that had the most creatures in it when I scouted. I saw a magic user there and figured he would be the one in charge, but as quickly as he fell I realized that wasn’t so. Theona looted the bodies of our fallen foes as Rosorc dropped the last one.

I knew something wasn’t right, and as we opened the door the blocked my way earlier I realized why. There were two bugbears everyone attacked on sight, then an illithid showed up stunning everyone except Shadow and me. Looking back I realized I should have stepped away and cast a couple of “summon nature’s allies” till the illithid’s spell let me friends loose, but I was a little rash at the moment and charged in only to fall to its stunning spell. I’m surprised I’m alive, and only hope I live to rectify my mistake. May Mielikki guide me.